essay
Social stratification in traditional Amhara society
social stratification in africa • New York • Published In 1970 • Pages: 187-224
By: Hoben, Allan.
Abstract
This is a reconstruction of traditional Amhara sociopolitical organization, before 1896. Hoben's intent is to contrast Amhara society with that of feudal Europe with which it has been closely identified in the literature. He depicts traditional Amhara society as far more fluid than medieval European society--without the rigid class distinctions found in the latter. This he attributes to a loose land-tenure system based on ambilineal descent and partible inheritance, the importance of vertical patron-client relationships within government administration, the value and prestige accorded to military prowess, and an all-inclusive ambilineal kinship system and ideology. There are two elite groups: ecclesiastic and military-administrative, who derive their authority from God and emperor, respectively, but whose real power rests on the relative size of each individual member's personal following and landholdings.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Eastern Africa
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1996
- Field Date
- unknown
- Coverage Date
- 1800s
- Coverage Place
- Ethiopia
- Notes
- by Allan Hoben
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-224)
- LCCN
- 78091223
- LCSH
- Amhara (African people)